II Corinthians 5:9 · Bible study
2 Corinthians 5:9 Commentary: The Lawful Ambition of Pleasing God
Greek · 11 what the commentators say
Meaning in one sentence
Study 2 Corinthians 5:9: Paul's ambition to be well-pleasing to God whether in the body or absent, and its connection to the judgment seat of Christ.
Research Summary
- Meaning: Paul makes it his lifelong aim to be well-pleasing to God, whether in the body or away from it, motivated by the coming judgment.
- Key words: φιλοτιμούμεθα (we are ambitious/strive for honor); εὐάρεστοι (well-pleasing); ἐνδημοῦντες/ἐκδημοῦντες (at home/away).
- Main debate: Whether “present or absent” refers to being in the body or out of it (v.6) or being with the Lord or away from Him (v.8). Both interpretations emphasize constancy of aim.
- Theological theme: The Christian's chief end is to please God, lived out in the tension between the already and not yet.
- Best use: A text for grounding motivation in grace and future hope, not in guilt or fear.
Translation Comparison
BSB Berean Standard Bible 2020
So we aspire to please Him, whether we are here in this body or away from it.
WEB World English Bible 2000
Therefore also we make it our aim, whether at home or absent, to be well pleasing to him.
KJV King James Version 1769
Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him.
ASV American Standard Version 1901
Wherefore also we make it our aim, whether at home or absent, to be well-pleasing unto him.
YLT Young's Literal Translation 1898
Wherefore also we are ambitious, whether at home or away from home, to be well pleasing to him,
Darby Darby Bible 1890
Wherefore also we are zealous, whether present or absent, to be agreeable to him.
Douay-Rheims Douay-Rheims Bible 1899
And therefore we labour, whether absent or present, to please him.
Translations in other languages (10 available)
Por tanto procuramos también, ó ausentes, ó presentes, serle|strong="G1511, G0846" agradables:
Por isso também desejamos muito ser agradáveis a ele, quer presentes no nosso corpo ,quer ausentes;
C’ est pour cela aussi que nous nous efforçons de lui être agréables, soit que nous demeurions dans ce corps, soit que nous le quittions.
Darum fleißigen wir uns auch, wir sind daheim oder wallen, daß wir ihm wohl gefallen.
Daarom zijn wij ook zeer begerig, hetzij inwonende, hetzij uitwonende, om Hem welbehagelijk te zijn.
Ed è perciò che ci studiamo d’essergli grati, sia che abitiamo nel corpo, sia che ne partiamo.
Przetoż też usiłujemy, bądź w ciele mieszkamy, bądź z ciała wychodzimy, onemu się podobać.
И потому ревностно стараемся, водворяясь ли, выходя ли, быть Ему угодными;
所以，無論 是住在身內， 離開身外，我們立了志向，要 得 主 的喜悅。
For this reason we make it our purpose, in the body or away from it, to be well-pleasing to him.
Verse in Context
Original Language (Koine Greek)
New Testament · Koine Greek · II Corinthians 5:9
Source: STEPBible TAGNT/TEHB (CC-BY 4.0). Click or tap a morphology code to see the full parsing.
Scholars' Consensus
Commentators agree that Paul's driving aim is to be well-pleasing (εὐάρεστοι) to God, regardless of his location. The key verb φιλοτιμούμεθα (philotimoumetha) literally means “to love honor”, what Wesley calls “the only ambition which has place in a Christian.” Vincent notes that “labor” is a weak translation; the word carries a sense of honorable striving. Barnes explains that Paul made it a fixed principle of his soul to secure God's approbation whether present in the body or absent from it. Calvin draws the connection to the hope of resurrection: knowing we will stand before Christ's judgment seat awakens this desire to please Him. Across traditions, the consensus is clear: the Christian's great concern is the approval of God, not human praise.
How settled is the interpretation?
Interpretive difficulty: Low
What is clear: The Christian's ambition, properly directed, is to be well-pleasing to God in every situation, whether in this life or beyond.
What Scholars Agree and Debate
| Topic | Agreed | Debated |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning of φιλοτιμούμεθα | All traditions see this as a positive, honor-driven striving that seeks God's approval, not human praise. | Some emphasize it as a general Christian ambition (Wesley, Matthew Henry); others stress its connection to Paul's apostolic labor (Gill, Calvin). |
| Interpretation of 'present or absent' | The phrase refers to two states or locations; the goal of pleasing God applies equally to both. | Some see it as bodily presence vs. absence from the body (Barnes, Wesley); others as presence with God vs. absence from Him (Cambridge Bible, commenting on v.8). |
| Relation to judgment seat of Christ | The judgment seat (v.10) gives weight and motivation to the pursuit of pleasing God. | Calvin and others stress it as a motive for holy living; others (Gill, Barnes) see it also in terms of future reward for faithfulness. |
Historical & Cultural Context
Paul writes from Macedonia, probably Philippi, after leaving Ephesus. The Corinthian church was troubled by false teachers who questioned his apostolic authority (2 Cor 10, 13). In chapters 4, 5, Paul defends his ministry by pointing to the eternal glory that outweighs present affliction. He contrasts the earthly tent (the body) with the eternal building from God (vv. 1, 5). This hope grounds his confidence (v. 6) and his willingness to be absent from the body and present with the Lord (v. 8).
Verse 9 sits at a turning point. The present or absent language echoes the contrast between being “at home in the body, absent from the Lord” (v. 6) and “absent from the body, at home with the Lord” (v. 8). The cultural context of honor mattered deeply in the Greco-Roman world; φιλοτιμέομαι was a word used for competitive ambition for public honor. Paul redefines ambition: the highest honor is not from people but from God. The coming judgment seat of Christ (v. 10) gives this ambition its edge, not to earn salvation, but because all will be revealed.
Textual Notes
The consulted sources note no significant textual variants for 2 Corinthians 5:9. The reading is stable across manuscripts.
Reception History
This verse has been a cornerstone in discussions of the Christian's chief end and ambition. Early church fathers like Chrysostom used it to highlight the apostle's selfless devotion. In the Reformation, Calvin and the Geneva Bible drew on it to emphasize whole-life obedience motivated by hope of resurrection. Methodist tradition, through Wesley and Clarke, celebrated the idea of a “lawful ambition” focused on God's approval. In hymns of consecration, the phrase “to be accepted of Him” has echoed as a goal for both life and death. The verse continues to encourage believers to live with single-hearted aim, whatever their circumstances.
Preaching This Verse
Three-point outline
- The only lawful ambition. Paul uses a word for competitive striving but directs it toward God's pleasure. This ambition is not self-promotion but wholehearted devotion.
- Consistency across circumstances. Whether at home in the body or away from it, the aim remains the same. The hope of glory does not lead to laziness; it fuels faithful living.
- Motivated by the judgment seat. Verse 10 follows immediately: we will all appear before Christ. The ambition to please Him is both a present delight and a sobering motivation.
Five-point outline
- Therefore: Paul draws a conclusion from the promise of resurrection and the down payment of the Spirit (vv. 1, 5).
- We make it our aim: the Greek φιλοτιμούμεθα carries the idea of making it one's honor to do something.
- Whether at home or absent: either interpretation (in/out of the body or in/out of the Lord's presence) points to constancy.
- To be well-pleasing to Him: the verb εὐάρεστος appears elsewhere of whole-life worship (Rom 12:1).
- Accepted of Him: the KJV phrase captures the goal of divine approval, not human applause.
Illustration hooks
- A runner who trains the same way whether the race is watched by a crowd or run alone, their motivation comes from within, not from spectators.
- An employee who works diligently when the boss is away, not just when being watched. Their integrity is constant.
- A child who seeks a parent's approval not out of fear but out of love and respect for the relationship.
Questions your congregation is asking
- Does ambition have any place in the Christian life? How is it different from worldly ambition?
- How can I know whether I am really living to please God or just trying to look good to others?
- What does the judgment seat of Christ mean for believers, is it about rewards or something else?
Leading a Discussion
Paul's single-minded ambition is striking. In a world that chases honor from people, he fixes his eyes on pleasing God. This small group session explores what that looks like in everyday life.
Discussion questions
- Read 2 Corinthians 5:1, 10. What reasons does Paul give for his confidence? How does that confidence relate to his ambition in verse 9?
- The Greek word φιλοτιμούμεθα means “to love honor.” In what ways might this kind of ambition be healthy for a Christian, and how might it be distorted?
- Paul says his aim is to be “well-pleasing” to God whether at home or absent (in the body or out of it). What would it mean for you to have that same consistency in your daily life?
- Verse 10 mentions the judgment seat of Christ. How does the reality of future evaluation affect how you live now? Does it make you anxious or hopeful?
- Compare this verse with Romans 14:8 and 1 Thessalonians 4:1. What do these passages teach about living for the Lord's approval?
- How can a church community encourage one another to pursue this ambition without falling into legalism or performance-based faith?
- What is one area of your life where you could more intentionally aim to please God rather than please people? What would change?
Word Study
The key original-language words in this verse. Select any word for its full lexicon entry — meaning, every occurrence in Scripture, and related words.
Cross-References
Source: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (TSK, public domain)
| Genesis 4:7 | If you do well, won’t it be lifted up? If you don’t do well, sin crouches at the door. Its desire is for you, but you are to rule over it.” |
| Isaiah 56:7 | I will bring these to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer. Their burnt offerings and their sacrifices will be accepted on my altar; for my house will be called a house of prayer for all peoples.” |
| John 6:27 | Don’t work for the food which perishes, but for the food which remains to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you. For God the Father has sealed him.” |
| Acts 10:35 | but in every nation he who fears him and works righteousness is acceptable to him. |
| Romans 14:8 | For if we live, we live to the Lord. Or if we die, we die to the Lord. If therefore we live or die, we are the Lord’s. |
| Romans 14:18 | For he who serves Christ in these things is acceptable to God and approved by men. |
| Romans 15:20 | yes, making it my aim to preach the Good News, not where Christ was already named, that I might not build on another’s foundation. |
| I Corinthians 9:26 | I therefore run like that, not aimlessly. I fight like that, not beating the air, |
Interlinear and lexical data from STEPBible (CC BY 4.0). Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0). Commentaries are public domain.
For personal reflection
Read the devotional page — prayer, application, and "for families"
What the Commentators Say
9 public-domain commentaries, condensed into plain language.
Adam Clarke's Commentary Methodist/Wesleyan 1826
Clarke draws attention to the Greek word Paul uses, which literally means "loving honor." He interprets it as a holy ambition to live consistently with one's heavenly calling, driven by love for God and the desire to be pleasing to Him.
Calvin's Commentaries Reformed 1564
Calvin argues that the hope of resurrection and the certainty of judgment should actively stir Christians to make pleasing God their chief aim. Our usual laziness in duty, he says, comes from forgetting that we are only temporary lodgers here, bound for Christ. He also notes that this desire belongs equally to the living and the dead, confirming the soul's immortality.
Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges Anglican 1880
This commentator notes that the word "labour" carries the sense of an honourable ambition or striving that concerns one's honor. He clarifies that the phrase "whether present or absent" refers not to being in the body or away from it, but to being with God or absent from Him, connecting more directly to the previous verse.
Geneva Bible Notes Reformed 1599
The Geneva note highlights the believer's earnest desire to be pleasing to Christ in every state, whether at home in the body or away from it. This ambition gives single-minded purpose to the whole Christian life.
Gill's Exposition of the Bible Baptist 1748
Gill highlights that believers, not just ministers, have a holy ambition to please Christ in everything they do. This earnest striving to be accepted by Him flows from a living faith that actively produces good works out of love and a desire for His glory.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Commentary Protestant 1871
jfb highlights that the word translated "labour" literally means "make it our ambition," and calls this the only lawful ambition. The goal is to be well-pleasing to Christ, whether we are alive or dead when He returns.
Lange's Commentary Reformed 1857
Lange highlights that the earthen vessel is specifically the human body, fragile and destined for decay, not the whole person. This contrast makes the treasure of divine illumination all the more striking: the body's weakness proves that any surpassing power must come from God, not from us.
Vincent's Word Studies Evangelical 1887
Vincent points out that "we labor" is a weak translation of the Greek word, because it misses the key idea of a goal that motivates the effort. He highlights that the Revised Version captures this better with "we make it our aim."
Wesley's Explanatory Notes Methodist/Wesleyan 1754
Wesley redefines ambition for the Christian: it is not worldly striving but the single, holy aim of pleasing God, whether living in the body or departing from it. This ambition has no rival and applies equally in life and death.